Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel inaugurated a five-day refresher training programme for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Zila Parishads, Chief Development Officers (CDOs), District Development Officers (DDOs) and District Panchayati Raj Officers (DPROs) under Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)  today at Sarthak Hall, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi.

The inaugural session was graced by the presence of Shri S. N. Tripathi, Director General, IIPA, Shri Vikas Anand, Joint Secretary, MoPR, Shri Vipul Ujwal, Director, MoPR and Dr. V. N. Alok, Professor, IIPA. More than 45 CEOs of Zila Parishads, CDOs, DDOs and DPROs and other officials from 25 States/ UTs are participating in this five-day residential refresher training programme from 5th to 9th August, 2024.

Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel called upon the participating CEOs of Zila Parishads, Chief Development Officers (CDOs), District Development Officers (DDOs) and District Panchayati Raj Officers (DPROs) to ensure that Panchayati Raj Institutions are central to holistic and inclusive development in rural areas. He stressed the importance of maintaining high standards in development work, ensuring that the benefits of Schemes reach all eligible beneficiaries, and guaranteeing that the Prime Minister’s vision of progress reaches every corner of the nation.

He commended the Leadership and Management Development Programme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for offering exceptional training to Panchayat representatives and officials at prestigious institutions such as IIM Ahmedabad. Prof. Baghel expressed confidence that such high-quality training and transparent implementation of schemes will significantly enhance the credibility of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). He emphasized that as Panchayats become more developed and self-reliant, the nation will also thrive, fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of a prosperous and self-sufficient country. He shared his experience with participants from various States/UTs, emphasizing that better infrastructure, education, electricity, drinking water and sanitation are key elements of village development.

Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel in his keynote address, emphasized the need for participants to bring positive change to rural lives through dedicated and quality work. He urged participants to recognize their potential, understand the aspirations of the people, and strive for excellence in their performance. He highlighted the immense human potential, determination, and passionate aspiration required to bring about positive change at the grassroots level in rural areas across the country.

Shri Vikas Anand provided context for the Refresher Training Programme to participants from States / UTs. He emphasized the importance of identifying areas for improvement and enhancing skills to equip CEOs of Zila Parishads, Chief Development Officers (CDOs), District Development Officers (DDOs) and District Panchayati Raj Officers (DPROs) with the latest updates. He added that this training aims to make Panchayats self-sufficient and improve leadership capabilities, fostering sustainable development in thematic areas of LSDGs.

Shri Vikas Anand expressed confidence in achieving improved outcomes from the capacity-building programs conducted by MoPR for officers at various levels in Panchayati Raj Departments across the States/ UTs. Through innovative initiatives like Refresher Training, these programs ensure that everyone involved with Panchayati Raj remains aligned in terms of knowledge, awareness, and the objectives of various MoPR interventions.

In his welcome address, Shri S. N. Tripathi commended the innovative initiatives of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in the direction of Capacity Building and Training (CBT). He highlighted the MoPR’s visionary efforts in aligning inclusive, holistic and sustainable development works in villages with global goals through the concept of Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs), bringing a global perspective to local action. He commended the initiative of Ministry of Panchayati Raj to provide training to Panchayat representatives at IIM Ahmedabad as innovative and pioneering.

The five-day training program includes sessions on leadership skills, teamwork, conflict management, communication skills, media relations, community engagement, crisis communication and practical training on various initiatives like e-GramSwaraj, PFMS, TMP, OSR and others. The training also covers the various initiatives taken under RGSA and its inclusion in Annual Action Plans, reporting of progress under RGSA and the use of portals like Audit Online, Meri Panchayat and Panchayat NIRNAY etc.

The Five-Day Refresher Training Program aims to enhance participants’ leadership capabilities through developmental and diagnostic approaches, identifying areas for improvement and refining necessary governance skills. Upon completion, participants are expected to: (i) lead their teams to higher performance and effectiveness, (ii) gain a thorough understanding of contemporary leadership concepts in local governance, (iii) identify their own leadership qualities akin to those of great public servants, (iv) strategically align resources to foster a resilient and agile administration within their Panchayats, and (v) enhance their skill sets for more effective functioning.

*****

SS